Jan 9, 2024

blog spot by #CurticeAtLipscombChevroletGMC

Winter car care is a way of life in Oklahoma. Harsh long winters, with short daylight hours create a hostile environment for commuters. Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC has your back with winter car care tips to make sure you’re safe and prepared for the next snow storm, hail storm, or frigid winter night. Be sure to make regular visits to your Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC service center and have our service professionals check your vehicle for you!

YOUR BATTERY:


Your vehicle’s battery is will be under stress when the mercury temperature drops inside the battery. Cold temperatures reduce its cranking power. In fact, at about 0° F, a battery has only about half the cranking power it has at 80° F.

Cranking amps(or power) refers to the amount of electrical current, or energy a battery can discharge and sustain for at least 30 seconds in normal climate conditions of 32° F. So a normal, cold day.

To check the conventional battery in your vehicle to get it ready for winter, remove the plastic caps on the top and check the fluid level. (See your owner’s manual and be careful!.) If the fluid is low, add distilled water (Make sure it’s distilled). On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery indicates a fully charged state. If it’s more than five years old and shows signs of weakness, replace the battery with a top-rated model. Visit us at Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC to get the best information and service on a battery replacement today.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS:


You need to know know whether or not to replace your wipers. You’ll want to listen and look at how your blades clean your vehicles windshield. If they are quiet and smooth, easily clearing water, sleet or snow, they are working correctly. If they are loud, the swipe feels or looks rough, or they’re leaving a section of the windshield uncleaned no matter how small, they may be in trouble. These harsh Oklahoma winters will give your wipers a lot of work, you don’t want to get caught in a snow storm without efficient wipers to clear your vision of the road ahead.


Check for obvious dirt or obstructions that could cause the noise or cleaning miss, this could include sleet or rocks.. If the blade is dirty or has something stuck in it, clean it with glass cleaner and remove the debris, be careful while doing this.


If you notice any damage to the blades, missing sections, rips, tears, or just degradation from use, visit us at Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC service center to have one of our service professionals replace your wiper blades while looking your car over for winter care.

CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR SNOW / ICE CONDITIONS:


Make sure you’re not about to slide off the road on your next commute or trip with winter tire guides. Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC Service Center can help you identify if you need new tires when you come into our service centers, but in the meantime make sure you’re checking a few key items. Is your car still sticking to the road? Are you having trouble taking turns, or stopping? This is an immediate sign you need to visit us at Lipscomb Chevrolet service or tire center and let our service professionals help you keep your vehicle sticking to the ground this winter. You can also check the tread depth, use a standard penny, with President Lincoln facing you, if you can see his entire head the tread has worn too far and you should seek either a tire rotation or new tires all together. Let a local Lipscomb Chevrolet GMC Service professional help make the distinction. 

CHANGE YOUR OIL:

Changing your vehicle’s motor oil lubricates the engine, cleans all of the moving parts and keeps it cool, or in the case of a winter oil change, keeps the motor moving smoothly during the cold winter days and nights. Using fresh, weather appropriate oil also improves fuel mileage and extends the engine’s life, especially in our cold northern winters. By following the advice of a Lipscomb service professional, and maintenance guidelines to change your oil, you’ll keep your vehicle in top winter driving order. If you’re changing the oil yourself this winter, which can always be a hassle, there are several oil change tips to keep in mind, including a few that are entirely seasonally appropriate. If you’re going to do it yourself, make sure to look up the best oil options and tips, or let a Lipscomb service professional make it easy for you.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Don’t let the care and concern stop at the vehicle itself. Even with regular maintenance and careful consideration the winter weather can strike and strand you, you don’t want to be unprepared. Make sure you’re ready with:
• Clothing. Make sure you have extra warm clothing in your car: hats, gloves, scarves, hand and foot warmers, thick socks and a blanket.
• Stay connected. Add a flashlight with extra batteries to your kit. You might also consider flares or a whistle, and an extra phone charger, or even an extra phone battery.
• Stay healthy and make sure you’re fed. Grab some bottled water and other snacks you enjoy. Make sure you have any medications you might need, along with a first-aid kit, and a tool-kit wouldn’t hurt either.
• Other necessities. Jumper cables are a good addition to your kit, and are a great year round tool to keep on hand. A small camping shovel and extra ice scraper can also be lifesavers in snowy conditions, especially in these snowy and harsh winters in Oklahoma.